MARCONI’S FIRST MARRIAGE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16475, 20 October 1927, Page 3

MARCONI’S FIRST MARRIAGE

I FEAR SHE DID NOT LOVE ME

NULLITY EVIDENCE

ROME, Aug. 2.

“I cherished doubts throughout the engagement whether the marriage would be happy, because 1 feared that Miss O’Brien did not love me enough.”

This is one of the statements made by Air. Alarconi, the famous inventor, in tho course of his examination by the ecclesiastical tribunal of the Sacred Roman Rota, before whom lie appeared for a, decree of nullity of bis marriage to Miss Beatrice O’Brien. The document of the proceedings, written in Latin, has’ now been issued.

“T told her of my feelings on tiie limiter,” said Mr. Marconi, “and she confirmed the fact that she did not feel quite sure of herself. I then pointed out to her that in the unfortunate event of the marriage proving unhappy we could have recourse to a divorce, and she agreed with me in this. “This disturbed me much, and I remember having spoken on the subject to my mother, to an intimate friend, and to one or two other relatives.” Mrs. Marconi declared in her evidence :

“Aly family, and especially my mother, were, strongly opposed to tho marriage on the grounds of nationality and because it seemed to have been decided on without due reflection. I did not return the engagement ring as inv people wished me to do. “I wanted t ( > follow my own line of conduct, and I felt 1 was fond enough of him to marry him, though 1 was not deeply in love with him. Air. Marconi was quite well aware of my sentiments and intentions.”

The marriage took place on this mutual understanding. It was not a happy union, and in 1918 the couple separated. When he learned that his wife wished to marry again, it is stated, Air. Marconi appealed to the tribunal of Finnic for under the old Hungarian law. The divorce was granted in 1924. The Sacred Rota’s decree of nullity was pronounced a few months ago, and on June 12 last Mr. Alarconi married Gcuiutcss Maria Be/zi-Scali, member of an ancient Papal family. The Hon. Beatrice O’Brien is a dough (or of Hie fourteenth Baron liichiquin. She and Mr. Marconi, whose mother was Irish, were married in 1905 in London before a minister of the Chuveli of England, the inventor having been educated in tlie Protestant religion by bis Pro testant mother.

The Hon. Beatrice O’Brien married the Marquis di Montceorona in 1924. after tier marriage with Mr. Marconi bad been dissolved.